Vintage 1930s Real Photo Postcard of Up-and-Coming Zeppelin Challenger

Description

Uniquely, here's an English-produced Valentine and Sons photo postcard showing the Dornier Do 26 which was ordered for express non-stop mail service between Lisbon, Portugal and New York. While it was expected that Zeppelin service would resume in 1938, Lufthansa was still keen on beating airship times with HTA mail delivery, though airplane hook-up with the Zeppelin was still being considered. The Do 26 took the aviation world by storm as a break away from traditional Dornier designs featuring very clean lines and metal construction, representing an advance on all British flying boats and more than a match for the PAA Sikorsky. The Do 26 featured a crew of five and a probably very cozy accommodation for four passengers. They never entered service across the North Atlantic, due primarily to adverse political weather conditions rather than natural. They did operate across the South Atlantic beginning in 1939 up to the outbreak of war. The design was then adapted to military use, though as the Luftwaffe was to learn to its disadvantage, designs which proved exceptional in civil capacity became far less effective when used militarily. Bears  a corner bend on the upper right and wear commensurate with its age, though overall good, unposted condition.
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